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A series of heartfelt speakers pleaded for Iowa lawmakers to approve medical marijuana in the state during a Capitol news conference Monday, the third such event meant to draw attention to the issue. Two military veterans and the mother of a child with "severe catastrophic epilepsy" described how marijuana was the only viable solution to their medical needs and should be legalized. The event was organized by state Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, who has been pressing the medical marijuana issue in informal meetings and media gatherings throughout the current legislative session. Last week, a bipartisan group of 10 senators requested a legislative study of the issue. The study could occur during the interim between now and the 2015 session, and perhaps lead to legislation for consideration by the House and Senate. "I think we've made terrific progress on it," Bolkcom said. "Is it enough for the people in this room? No, but I think there's a level of awareness among the public for sure and among legislators that we need to act."
The speakers featured Monday were:
- Rachael Selmeski, whose family moved from Iowa to Colorado so that her 1-year-old daughter, Maggie, could have access to marijuana oils to treat her epilepsy. Marijuana is legal for medicinal and recreational uses in Colorado.
- Logan Edwards, an Iraq war veteran who said marijuana has allowed him to treat anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder that hasn't responded to pharmaceutical treatments. He said he plans to move to Colorado when he finishes a degree program at a college in the Quad Cities.
- Don Karr, a Vietnam veteran and former Cedar Rapids city councilman who said he's smoked marijuana off and on since returning from his military service more than four decades ago. The drug has alleviated his post-traumatic stress disorder and allowed him to live productively, build several businesses and become a community leader.
While medical marijuana has garnered bipartisan support, Gov. Terry Branstad has indicated he opposes it, and other prominent members of the Legislature likewise remain dead-set against legalizing it. Outgoing Republican Party of Iowa Chairman A.J. Spiker also endorsed medical marijuana this week in a column that appeared in the Des Moines Sunday Register.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Desmoinesregister.com
Author: Jason Noble
The speakers featured Monday were:
- Rachael Selmeski, whose family moved from Iowa to Colorado so that her 1-year-old daughter, Maggie, could have access to marijuana oils to treat her epilepsy. Marijuana is legal for medicinal and recreational uses in Colorado.
- Logan Edwards, an Iraq war veteran who said marijuana has allowed him to treat anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder that hasn't responded to pharmaceutical treatments. He said he plans to move to Colorado when he finishes a degree program at a college in the Quad Cities.
- Don Karr, a Vietnam veteran and former Cedar Rapids city councilman who said he's smoked marijuana off and on since returning from his military service more than four decades ago. The drug has alleviated his post-traumatic stress disorder and allowed him to live productively, build several businesses and become a community leader.
While medical marijuana has garnered bipartisan support, Gov. Terry Branstad has indicated he opposes it, and other prominent members of the Legislature likewise remain dead-set against legalizing it. Outgoing Republican Party of Iowa Chairman A.J. Spiker also endorsed medical marijuana this week in a column that appeared in the Des Moines Sunday Register.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Desmoinesregister.com
Author: Jason Noble
